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Newport News Police Department
B. Intervention
1. When a situation requires intervention, employees will use the most appropriate de-escalation
techniques for the circumstances. The intervention may include verbal or physical intervention,
and/or supervisor notification. Anytime intervention occurs, the employee must notify their
supervisor.
2. If an employee observes behavior that suggests a danger of escalation, preventative intervention is
encouraged, whenever possible.
3. If an employee is unable to directly intervene (i.e. too much distance or insufficient time to intervene
or intervention would require abandoning their own actions, which endanger the safety of officers
and citizens on scene), immediate supervisory notification is required.
4. Upon notification, supervisors must respond and take immediate action to de-escalate the situation.
Once the situation is under control, supervisors will notify the officer’s chain of command.
Appropriate follow-up actions may include:
a. Initiate an internal investigation for alleged misconduct, following ADM-270 Administrative and
Internal Investigations.
b. Refer the officer to an appropriate psychological service or program, per ADM-330 Employee
Psychological Services.
5. Employees should only intervene when the situation or circumstances are within the scope of their
authority.
a. All officers have the appropriate training and authority to intervene in any situation that involves
the use or potential use of force, or violations of local, state or federal law.
b. Non-sworn personnel are not expected to directly intervene in situations involving physical
violence or law enforcement activities. In situations requiring immediate intervention, non-
sworn personnel must immediately notify an on-duty supervisor, either directly or through the
Communications Division.
C. Training & Policy Review
1. New employees will receive training on this policy.
2. All employees must complete a documented review of this policy annually, in PowerPolicy.
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